All things books, all the time

Tag Archives: Alysia Abbott

First off, sorry for the late post. I’d had every intention to have it publish at my usual time, but today I’ve been a bit distracted by something unexpected. And I decided that my attention was needed elsewhere. But now I’m here with you, as always, just a little late today.

Recently Quartz was given data from some of the top public libraries around the country regarding their most popular books. The data isn’t all from the same time period, but we’re only talking a difference of about a month at the most, so it’s pretty accurate. If I had to guess with no information about any of the libraries, I’d of course think that Go Set a Watchman would likely be at or near the top of some of the lists. I’d also think of To Kill a Mockingbird. Besides those two I’m not sure I’d have any other books come to mind. Here’s the list in no particular order.

Seattle – Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee.

San Francisco – Fairyland by Alysia Abbott.

Los Angeles – The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.

San Jose – The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.

San Diego – The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.

Denver – Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf.

Phoenix – Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee.

Dallas – The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.

Houston – Truth or Die by James Patterson.

Memphis – To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

Jacksonville – The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.

Washington D.C. – The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.

Baltimore – Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee.

New York – The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins.

Indianapolis – Wicked Charms by Janet Evanovich.

I really can’t say I’m surprised by any of these, though I will admit that I’ve never heard of the titles from Denver and San Francisco. The others seem pretty understandable. They’re pretty much mega bestsellers that people are reading all over the country. Maybe just a little surprised that Paper Towns didn’t make it to the top of at least one list. Even though I know the movie isn’t nearly as popular as the first of the John Green adaptations, the book was popular enough to nab a movie deal.

Are you surprised by any of the titles that are the most popular books at some of the public libraries in the US? Maybe you think some titles should be right near the top that aren’t listed?